Roberto Martinez believes Aston Villa have an FA Cup Final advantage

ROBERTO MARTINEZ believes Aston Villa's FA Cup Final date will help preserve their Premier League status and remains convinced the scheduling of the competition two years ago was responsible for the blot on his managerial CV.

Martinez endured relegation with Wigan 72 hours after leading the club to final success over Manchester City in 2013 after English football's showpiece match was sandwiched in between end-of-season games.

Villa face Martinez's Everton side today still entrenched in the relegation zone, but with their Wembley showdown against Arsenal on May 30 a reward rather than a complication.

"It is a completely different situation because the Final should be played after the last game of the Premier League season and that is what Aston Villa has this season," said Martinez.

"In that respect, playing the Final is a big advantage to helping you achieve what you want to achieve in the league. Mentally, this Villa side are full of confidence and belief.

"The way they performed against Tottenham and Manchester City was fantastic.

"What I experienced personally with Wigan was that to play the Final on the Saturday and then away at Arsenal on the Tuesday, when they had rested for 10 days, we just couldn't cope with that physically and mentally.

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Martinez believes Aston Villa's FA Cup final date will help preserve their Premier League status

"We carried a fatigue that is impossible to carry through two competitions so close together."

Wigan finished three points adrift of safety that season, but Martinez confidently predicted Tim Sherwood's side would not suffer a similar fate.

"Villa's performance against Liverpool at Wembley has given them safety, because I've seen that team play with an incredible swagger," he said.

"I've no doubts they will pick up enough points before the end of the season."